OBJECTIVETo clarify the differential expression of the genes related to the lipid metabolism in the early stage of atherosclerosis in the young LDLR-/- mice of different ages.

METHODSA RT-PCR assay was used to analyse the gene expression patterns in the livers of LDLR-/- mice and wild type (WT) mice from 14 to 90 days. The characteristics of early lipid deposition in intima were evaluated using biochemical and pathological techniques.

RESULTSIn LDLR-/- mice, when compared to WT mice, the mRNA level of the apolipoprotein A IV (apoA IV), fatty acid translocase (Fat/CD36) and carnitine palmitoyl transferase I (CPT I) changed prominently at the age of 14-days (P < 0.05). At 30 days, the mRNA level of apolipoprotein A I (apoA I) was up regulated, but apolipoprotein F (apoF), CD36 and CPT I were down regulated (P < 0.05). At 60 days, the mRNA levels of apoA I, CPT I and liver X receptor alpha (LXRalpha) were up regulated, but apoA IV was down regulated (P < 0.05). At 90 days, the level of the apoA I was higher, but the expression of the apoA IV, apoF and acyl-coenzymeA oxidase 1 (ACOX1) were down regulated (P < 0.05), whereas the expression of apolipoprotein A V (apoA V), apolipoprotein E (apoE), peroxidase proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) and angiopoietin-like protein 3 (angptl 3) had no significant changes (P > 0.05). The serum levels of TC (P < 0.05), TG (P < 0.05) and LDLC (P < 0.05) in LDLR-/- mice were significantly higher than those in wild type mice with the same age.

CONCLUSIONSThe mRNA levels of the apoA I, apoA IV, apoF, FAT/CD36, CPT I, ACOX1 and LXRalpha of the LDLR-/- mice were significantly changed compared to the WT mice. The genes may be of some relevance to the complicated lipid metabolism network, and have effect in the early stage of atherogenesis.

Animals ; Apolipoprotein A-I ; genetics ; metabolism ; Apolipoproteins A ; genetics ; metabolism ; Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Lipid Metabolism ; Liver ; metabolism ; Liver X Receptors ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; Orphan Nuclear Receptors ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Receptors, LDL ; deficiency

Animals ; Apolipoproteins E ; deficiency ; Female ; Hyperlipoproteinemia Type III ; blood ; metabolism ; Lipid Metabolism, Inborn Errors ; blood ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Receptors, Calcitriol ; metabolism ; Vitamin D ; blood

OBJECTIVETo explore if PPARgamma agonist rosiglitazone could enhance the anti-atherosclerotic effects of mouse peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma1 (PPARgamma1) gene transfer in apolipoprotein-knock out mice.

METHODSAdult ApoE-knock out mice were fed a Western-diet for 20-weeks and then injected with PBS, Ad. PPARgamma1 (5 x 10(8)pfu) or Ad. GFP (5 x 10(8)pfu) via jugular vein. Another group of mice were intervened with rosiglitazone (dissolved in 0.5% cellulose acetate, 4 mg.kg(-1).d(-1), per gavage) 1 week before Ad. PPARgamma1 injection (n = 10, each group). Two weeks later, the lipid core and plaque composition were characterized with oil red O staining and Movat method respectively. The expression of PPARgamma, SM-actin, MOMA-2, MMP-9/TIMP-1, CD40/CD40L and TF antigens in aortic roots and plaques among four groups were compared semi-quantitatively using immunohistochemical technology.

RESULTSAll parameters were similar between AdGFP and PBS groups (P > 0.05). The area of plaque were significantly decreased and oil red O staining area significantly increased in AdPPARgamma1 [(0.86 +/- 0.12) mm(2), (150 +/- 35) x 10(3) microm(2)] and AdPPARgamma1 + RO [(0.79 +/- 0.15) mm(2), (270 +/- 49) x 10(3) microm(2)] treated mice compared with AdGFP group [(0.98 +/- 0.17) mm(2), (80 +/- 21) x 10(3) microm(2)] all P < 0.05. Elastic fiber, collagen and proteoglycan in plaques were also significantly increased in AdPPARgamma1 and AdPPARgamma1 + RO groups. Upregulation of PPARgamma, SM-actin, TIMP-1 antigen activity and downregulation of MOMA-2, MMP-9, CD40/CD40L and TF antigen activity in AdPPARgamma1 and most significantly in AdPPARgamma1 + RO group were observed (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAnti-atherosclerotic effects of PPARgamma1 gene transfer in ApoE-knock out mice could be enhanced by PPARgamma agonist rosiglitazone.

Animals ; Apolipoproteins E ; deficiency ; genetics ; Atherosclerosis ; genetics ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; PPAR gamma ; agonists ; genetics ; metabolism ; Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors ; metabolism ; Thiazolidinediones ; pharmacology ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between the expression characteristics of lipid metabolism-related genes in the liver and early atherosclerotic lesions in apolipoprotein E and low density lipoprotein receptor gene double knockout (apoE(-/-)/LDLR(-/-)) mice.

METHODSRT-PCR was used to detect the differential expression of lipid metabolism-related genes in the liver of apoE(-/-)/LDLR(-/-) and wild type (WT) mice. Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level as well as aortic morphology were also analyzed.

RESULTSAmong the 11 lipid metabolism-related genes, apolipoprotein B100 (apoB100) mRNA levels were significantly higher in apoE(-/-)/LDLR(-/-)mice compared with WT mice. At 14 days, 1, 2 and 3 months of age, the level of mRNA expression were 1.55, 1.47, 1.50 and 2.42 folds of those of the age matched WT mice respectively. The fatty acid transporter (FAT/CD36) mRNA expression levels were higher in 14-day and 3-month old mice at 1.30 and 1.35 folds of those of the age matched WT mice, respectively. Apolipoprotein A IV (apoA IV) and Apolipoprotein AV (apoAV) mRNA levels were significantly down-regulated (0.89 fold decrease in 14-day, and 0.90 folds decrease in 3-month, respectively). The mRNA expression levels of apolipoprotein AI (apo AI), apolipoprotein F (apo F), peroxidase proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-alpha), liver X receptor alpha (LXRalpha), angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3), acyl-coenzymeA oxidase 1 (ACOX1) and carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (CPT1) had no significant changes. Serum TC, TG and LDL-C were higher than those of age matched WT mice at 7, 2 and 30 folds, respectively. Furthermore, apoE(-/-)/LDLR(-/-) mice demonstrated typical early atherosclerotic lesions at sinus and root regions of aorta in an age dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONAlterations of the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes in liver play important roles in the development of AS in the apoE(-/-)/LDLR(-/-) mice at early ages.

Animals ; Aorta ; pathology ; Apolipoprotein A-V ; Apolipoprotein B-100 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Apolipoproteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Apolipoproteins A ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Apolipoproteins E ; deficiency ; Atherosclerosis ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; CD36 Antigens ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; Lipid Metabolism ; Liver ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Receptors, LDL ; deficiency

OBJECTIVETo study possible influences of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) on endothelial cell proliferation, apoptosis and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression of aorta in apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE(-/-)) mice and to explore the relationship between vitamin D and atherosclerosis.

METHODEndothelial cell of aorta in apoE(-/-) mice were isolated and cultured, and the influence of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) on endothelial cell proliferation were observed by MTT, apoptosis of cells were quantitated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labelling, Bcl-2 mRNA, fas mRNA and eNOS mRNA was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTEndothelial cell proliferation rate of aorta did not significantly change in the two control groups (0.162 ± 0.031 vs. 0.158 ± 0.006, P > 0.05). Compared with control groups, 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) stimulated endothelial cell proliferation of aorta (P < 0.05), but endothelial cell proliferation rate did not significantly change in different 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) concentration groups [1,25(OH)(2)D(3) concentration: 10(-4)mol/L, 10(-5) mol/L, 10(-6) mol/L, 10(-7) mol/L, 10(-8) mol/L, endothelial cell proliferation rate: 0.189 ± 0.013 vs. 0.285 ± 0.011 vs. 0.296 ± 0.026 vs. 0.284 ± 0.017 vs. 0.233 ± 0.010, P > 0.05]. 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) research concentration as chosen as 10(-6) mol/L. In 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) 10(-6) mol/L group, the expression of Bcl-2, eNOS mRNA was significantly increased (0.78 ± 0.16 vs. 0.46 ± 0.21 vs. 0.42 ± 0.17, 0.56 ± 0.16 vs. 0.39 ± 0.13 vs. 0.35 ± 0.11, 0.46 ± 0.2 vs. 10.42 ± 0.17 vs. 0.78 ± 0.16, 0.79 ± 0.21 vs. 0.81 ± 0.20 vs. 0.43 ± 0.12), apoptotic index, Fas mRNA was significantly decreased (15.14 ± 3.19 vs. 18.94 ± 4.22 vs. 19.27 ± 4.58, 0.43 ± 0.12 vs.0.79 ± 0.21 vs. 0.81 ± 0.20)(P < 0.05). The quantity of eNOS gene expression was inversely associated with apoptosis index and Fas mRNA, was positively associated with Bcl-2 mRNA (r = -0.676, -0.758, 0.762, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION1,25(OH)(2)D(3) stimulated endothelial cell proliferation, inhibited apoptosis and increased eNOS expression of aorta in apoE(-/-) mice. These results may deepen understanding of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Animals ; Aorta ; metabolism ; Apolipoproteins E ; deficiency ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Calcitriol ; pharmacology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Huxin Formula on expressions of the chief reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) associated genes, caveolin-1 and scavenger receptor-BI (SR-BI) in ApoE-gene knockout [ApoE (-/-)] mice.

METHODSThirty ApoE (-/-) mice of 4-6 weeks old were randomly divided into three groups (A-C). After being fed with high-fat diet for 16 weeks, they were treated with HXF (1 mL/100 g), pravachol (0.3 mg/100 g), and saline in equal volume respectively for 16 weeks successively; in addition, a blank group was set up with 10 C57BL/6J mice of 6-week old received 16-week high-fat feeding and saline treatment. Animals were sacrificed at the termination of the experiment, their paraffin sections of aortic tissue were used to measure the size of plaque, expressions of cavolin-1 and SR-BI were detected by immunological histochemical method.

RESULTSAs compared with the blank group, levels of caveolin-1 and SR-BI were increased in Groups A and B (P<0.01); but the increase in Group A was more significant than that in Group B (P<0.05). The plaque/aorta area ratio decreased significantly in Groups A and B, but showed insignificant difference between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONHXF could obviously increase the expressions of RCT associated genes, caveolin-1 and SR-BI, promote the RCT process, so as to reduce the formation of aorta atherosclerotic plaque in ApoE (-/-) mice.

Animals ; Aorta ; drug effects ; pathology ; Apolipoproteins E ; deficiency ; genetics ; Atherosclerosis ; pathology ; Biological Transport ; drug effects ; Caveolin 1 ; metabolism ; Cholesterol ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; pathology ; Receptors, Scavenger ; metabolism

Animals ; Aorta ; pathology ; Apolipoproteins E ; deficiency ; Atherosclerosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Glycosides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Mice ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polygonum ; chemistry ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDPreeclampsia, especially early onset of preeclampsia (PE), is a common and serious disorder with high maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Dietary factor is one of the most important factors which may affect the occurrence and development of the disease. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of dietary factors on pathological changes of liver and placenta in preeclampsia-like mouse model by establishing the model at multiple stages of gestation.

METHODSWild-type (WT) mice were injected subcutaneously with nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 50 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1)) to establish PE-like model (L-NAME group) at early-, mid-, and late-pregnant periods respectively; simultaneously, the control mice were injected with normal saline (NS group). All the groups were divided into subgroups, standard chow group (SC), and high-fat diet group (HF). ApoE(-/-) pregnant mice served as a control group. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), urine protein, and histopathologic changes of placenta and liver in all groups were observed and statistically analyzed.

RESULTSIn WT and apoE(-/-) L-NAME subgroups, blood pressure and urine protein were significantly higher than those in all the gestational age matched NS groups (P < 0.05). Compared to other groups, remarkable liver fatty infiltration and lipid storage in placenta were found in early- and mid-L-NAME subgroups in apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.05), especially in the early- and mid-HF+L-NAME subgroups in apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.05). More lipid storage droplets both in liver and placenta were found in ApoE(-/-) mice than that of WT groups (P < 0.05). Morphology histopathologic examination of placentas showed varying degrees of fibrinoid necrosis and villous interstitial edema in early- and mid-L-NAME both in HF and SC of apoE(-/-) and WT subgroups compared to NS controls (P < 0.05). But there was no significant difference between HF and SC subgroups (P > 0.05), and no difference between apoE(-/-) and WT groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPreeclampsia-like conditions could be induced by L-NAME in mice at different gestational stages. Both WT and apoE(-/-) genotype mice with preeclampsia-like symptoms in early and mid stages of pregnancy presented lipid deposition in the placenta and hepatic fatty infiltration. To alter the environmental condition by feeding high-fat diet was harmful to the mother and the fetus. High-fat diet aggravated the impact of liver fatty infiltration at early and mid gestational stages especially in the apoE(-/-) mouse model. These results further revealed the association between early-onset preeclampsia and the dysoxidation of fatty acids.

Animals ; Apolipoproteins E ; deficiency ; genetics ; Diet, High-Fat ; Female ; Genotype ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Mutant Strains ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; pharmacology ; Placenta ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Pregnancy

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of betaine on the formation of atherosclerotic plaque in apolipoprotein E (ApoE)-deficient mice and explore its anti-inflammatory mechanism.

METHODSSeven-week-old ApoE-deficient mice (C57BL/6J background) were divided into four groups randomly based on body weight: model group and three betaine groups. Wild-type mice with the same age and genetic background were used as control group. The control group and model group were fed AIN-93G diet. Three betaine groups were fed AIN-93G diet supplemented with 1, 2, 4 g betaine/100 g diet, respectively. Serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, lipid levels and methylation status of TNF-alpha promotor in aorta were determined at 0, 7 and 14 weeks. The percentage of aorta sinus plaque to lumen area was measured at 14-week.

RESULTSThe percentage of aorta sinus plaque to lumen area of 1% and 2% betaine groups were (11.43+/-2.65)% and (12.09+/-3.07)%, respectively, which were 41% and 33% smaller than that of the model group (t=3.117, 3.010, respectively, and P<0.01). Serum TNF-alpha level of three betaine groups were (56.33+/-3.86), (63.04+/-4.67) and (65.52+/-3.97) pg/ml, respectively, which were lower than that of the model group (79.40+/-4.68) pg/ml (t=9.270, 6.571 and 5.576, respectively, P<0.001), but there was no significant difference in the methylation status of TNF-alpha promotor among all five groups.

CONCLUSIONBetaine could inhibit the development of atherosclerosis via anti-inflammation.

Animals ; Apolipoproteins E ; deficiency ; genetics ; Atherosclerosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; Betaine ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Chemokine CCL2 ; metabolism ; Dietary Supplements ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism of liraglutide-mediated protection against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) using aApoE knockout (KO) mouse with high-fat diet (HFD) and Acrp30 knockdown.

METHODSFifty-six male ApoE KO mice were divided into the following six modeling and experimental groups:regular chow fed (ApoE KO, n=10), HFD fed (HF, n=10), HFD+Adenovirus (Ad)-small hairpin (sh) Acrp30 (Ad-shAcrp30, n=10), HFD+Ad-shGreen Fluorescent Protein (GFP) (Ad-shGFP, n=6), HFD+Ad-shAcrp30+liraglutide (liraglutide, n=10), and HFD+Ad-shAcrp30+saline (saline, n=10). Weight-matched C57BL/6 mice on the regular chow diet were used as the control group (WT control, n=10).All mice were fed their assigned diet for 16 weeks.The Ad-shGFP or Ad-shAcrp30 was injected by tail vein at the end of 14 and 15 weeks.Mice in the liraglutide group received 1 mg/kg of the drug, twice daily, intraperitoneally for a total of 8 weeks (from the 9th to 16th week).Fasting blood samples were collected for testing levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), triglycerides (TGs), total cholesterol (TC), free fatty acid (FFA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Acrp30 and insulin.Liver tissue was procured for histological examination.Expression of mRNA was detected by real-time RT-PC and of protein was detected by western blot analysis.

RESULTSThe Ad-shAcrp30 treated mice had reduced expression of Acrp30 at both the mRNA and protein levels in adipose tissues and plasma, as compared with the AdshGFP treated mice (all P < 0.01).Compared to the WT and ApoE KO groups, the HF group showed higher levels of FPG, FFA, TGs and TC (all P < 0.01); furthermore, the Ad-shAcrp30 treatment compounded these changes.The Ad-shAcrp30 treated group had markedly higher hepatic TC and TGs than the HF group (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05).Oil Red O staining showed that there was more lipid droplets in the liver tissue of the Ad-shAcrp30 treated group than in that of the HF group (P < 0.01), and hematoxylin-eosin staining confirmed these results.Liraglutide treatment prevented the increase in body weight, FPG, FFA, TGs, TC and ALT levels, as compared to the saline controls (all P < 0.01), but the plasma Acrp30 levels and the Acrp30 mRNA and protein expression in adipose tissues were elevated (all P < 0.01).Oil-Red O staining indicated that the liraglutide group had a significantly lower hepatic lipid content than the saline group, and total hepatic TG and TC were reduced in the former group (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05).The liraglutide treatment significantly attenuated the mRNA expression of ACC and FAS (both P < 0.01) but increased AMPK phosphorylation (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAdministration of liraglutide prevented the development of HFD-and hypoadiponectinemia-induced metabolic disturbance and accumulation of hepatic lipids in this mouse model system of NAFLD.

AMP-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Adiponectin ; deficiency ; metabolism ; Adipose Tissue ; Alanine Transaminase ; Animals ; Apolipoproteins E ; deficiency ; metabolism ; Cholesterol ; Diet, High-Fat ; Disease Models, Animal ; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 ; analogs & derivatives ; Insulin ; Liraglutide ; Male ; Metabolism, Inborn Errors ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; metabolism ; Protective Agents ; RNA, Messenger ; Triglycerides